Ex-Arsenal star Ian Wright quietly funds women’s soccer player’s ACL rehab after Stoke City failed to pay

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has financially supported Kayleigh McDonald during her restoration of an ACL tear during the past four months, got up after McDonald’s then club Stoke City said she would have to pay out of pocket after the injury.

McDonald, now a free agent, tore her ACL in March 2024 while playing for the third division, of which she told her to participate in the waiting list of the National Health Service to receive treatment. Looking for a faster operation, as usual in professional sports, requires the search for private medical care and McDonald discovered that it would cost her more than $ 25,000. She launched a GoFundme in April of that year.

“So sad to say that just when I thought the women’s game would finally come somewhere, I receive the worst news that I will have to participate in the NHS watch list for an operation after an injury that I stopped playing a competition match for my club,” wrote McDonald on Gofundme, According to the guardian. “I have mentally more than physically suffered with this injury, especially the fact that it will inevitably end my football career. I am not currently at work, unable to walk, do not earn money, but still have the burden to pay my bills. Just to see a consultant, it is more than a month waiting. I cannot live financially.”

Fundraising received enough traction online, and that is how Wright caught the wind of the situation, According to De Telegraaf. Wright subsequently hired a sports lawyer to represent McDonald and Stoke inverted course, putting the bill for an operation in May. Stoke was then only willing to pay for McDonald’s rehabilitation until November, but agreed to pay for sessions in December after Wright intervened. He has been paying for McDonald’s Rehab since January, which costs around $ 2,300 a month.

“Stoke said they didn’t think I was where I should be and that they would like to take over my rehabilitation because they really cared for me, which I was a bit stunned because they didn’t even check me in,” ” McDonald told The Times. “Ian started paying in January and now pays for my rehabilitation.”

Wright has never publicly shared that he helped McDonald, nor he asked her to comment on it or to return the favor in any way.

“He or one of his team never said,” Can you say this about it? “McDonald said. “I once sent a message when he helped me for the first time and I said,” Do you mind when I scream a little on Twitter? ” And he said, “If you want, but not the feeling you have to.” I have never felt that he wanted something from me “

The story only came to light this week after Eniola Aluko, the former national team player of England, said Male analysts such as Wright Block opportunities for women in broadcasts. Many came to the defense of Wright, partly because he has only been an analyst for women’s football matches, but also because the Premier League winner has been a fervent supporter of the women’s game.

The ex-Arsenal-star was on site on the 2023 World Cup, where England finished second, but there was mainly a fan and had only treated two games for broadcasters. Wright Has also Backed Women’s Soccer in Other Ways, Most Notably Partnering with Barclays to Launch the Ian Wright Coaching Fund in 2023. The Fund, which also Received a Nearly $ 20,000 Donation from Wright Himber Himber Himber Himber Himber Himber Himber Himber Himber Himber Himber Himber Himber Himber Himber Himber Intrease and has supported as a many as 664 coaches for their level one training course course.

“He is a normal guy,” said McDonald. “He is a legend and just seems like a person with a heart. He is passionate about the ladies’ game. I don’t think people give him enough credit for what he is doing. I felt that we can’t win. Years ago we only wanted the men to jump in the game and make more fans in the game of women’s football, he really loves him. [from women’s football]Some are ex-Ireland or ex-England players, they now call him ‘Uncle Ian’ because of what he did. “